First Research Interview

1. Where were you adopted from and at what age were you adopted?
I was born in Taegu, South Korea and I was adopted when I was about 3 months old.

2. Did your adoptive parents tell you growing up that you were adopted?  How was it explained to you (i.e. how and why did they adopt you)?
My parents were always very open with the fact that I was adopted, although I don't think I could tell you exactly how it was explained to me. All I know is that for as long as I can remember, my parents told me I was adopted and never really asked about it.

3. Do you have any connection to your biological parents?  If yes, how would you describe that relationship?  If no, why not?
I don't have any connection to my biological mother now, and when I was adopted I had no connection to my biological father at all. I personally, don't feel any desire to try and reconnect with my biological mother if for no other reason than the fact that I wouldn't even know how to start that conversation.

4. Do you have any siblings (also adopted or biological to your adoptive parents)?
Nope, I'm an only child.

5. How did growing up with parents of a different race effect you socially, mentally and emotionally? (I know that may be a loaded question but feel free to interpret that however you wish)
I would say that being adopted has not really had any emotional or mental effect on me. I don't have severe abandonment issues or other psychological problems like some adopted children have. My parents are pretty well established so I would say socially I grew up in a fairly standard middle class home.

6. If I were to tell you that adopting children from other countries and other races was considered to be a "fad" what would you say in response?
Considering I just gave an informative speech about this very topic... haha I would have to disagree with that. Adoptions are almost 75% international rather than domestic. I don't think that it is a "fad" at all.

7. Would you ever adopt?  From another race?  Why or why not?
I would like to adopt one child eventually, I would definitely do it from another country, but I don't know which. It has had such a positive impact on my life, I would love to give another child the same opportunity. 

8. How many people have asked you what it was like growing up with parents of another race?  Why did they want to know?

Well I actually get asked what it's like having Asian parents more often because a lot of people don't know I'm adopted. People never really have specifics in mind when they ask me that qustion.

Dennis Vorreyer is a student here at Belmont who was adopted by a Caucasian family.  While he has no emotional, social or mental issues with adoption, being adopted and so forth, he is older, had a wonderful set of parents, grew up matched with parents of which the racial matchings aren't cliche and was always aware of his adopted status.  Not all cases are like this but it is necessary to hear all sides of one thought.  I wonder if his answers would have been any different if he had been younger or if others when he was growing up actively knew his parents were of a different race and he was adopted.  (He insinuated that it wasn't common knowledge in his answer to number eight).  I want to look at this culture from absolutely every perspective so his answers were greatly helpful.  Especially his take on foreign adoption being a "fad."  I was a little thrown off by his response because I tend to side with the notion of it being a "fad" but I have to rethink my standing as I hear that response coming from someone who experienced that "fad."